Actress Ko Hyun-jung reveals her unwavering dedication to acting in 'The Mantis: Original Sin' despite her health decline.
The production meeting for the SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'The Mantis: Original Sin' took place on the afternoon of 4th. Director Byun Young-joo, actress Ko Hyun-jung, Jang Dong-yoon, Jo Seong-ha, and Lee El attended the meeting.
'The Mantis: Original Sin' is a high-density crime thriller where a cruel serial killer 'The Mantis' is caught, and 20 years later, a copycat crime occurs. To solve the case, a detective who has hated 'The Mantis' for his whole life ends up cooperating unexpectedly with his mother, 'The Mantis'.
Director Byun Young-joo noted about 'The Mantis': "In 2002, during the preparation for the World Cup, five people were discovered as serial murder victims in an abandoned mining town. Fortunately, the perpetrator was caught, but people didn't even know the name of the perpetrator and only knew the nickname 'The Mantis'. That Mantis becomes involved in a new copycat crime 23 years later. As a condition of helping the investigation, the son, now a police officer, must work with the mother he has loathed, known as 'The Mantis'. This story revolves around the suffering of the son due to his mother. I hope you view it as the story of those trying to prevent further victims from arising regarding the perpetrator."
In the series, Ko Hyun-jung plays the role of Jung Yi-shin, a serial killer known by the nickname 'The Mantis'. He stated, "While it's important to show how brutally Jung Yi-shin kills, it would also be interesting to consider why Jung Yi-shin became a murderer." Director Byun Young-joo stated, "As soon as I read the script, I thought Ko Hyun-jung would be perfect. I've been a fan of her since a long time ago and loved her in 'The Sea of Mom' and 'Farewell'. I believed that if she took on this role, an unimaginable face would emerge, so I offered it to her as soon as I received the script from the production company. It was one of the best choices I made last year."
In particular, Ko Hyun-jung underwent surgery due to health issues during the filming of 'The Mantis: Original Sin'. Being away from the filming set for a short time due to hospital life, Ko Hyun-jung revealed, "It is indeed true that my health was not good. So, I couldn't film in the middle, but I returned to the set afterward. I received immense support from my colleagues, who are all incredibly talented individuals. That's why I've grown more affectionate towards 'The Mantis'."
He shared, "This is not my work but our collective work. The work 'The Mantis' is not a drama solely influenced by one person, but a creation made by all the staff and actors united as one. I hope this work can be showcased to many people, and many will watch it."
This is also noteworthy as it marks Ko Hyun-jung's return to SBS after approximately seven years since 'Return'. Previously, while appearing in the SBS drama 'Return' broadcast in 2018, she faced discord with the production team, and amidst allegations of assault, she ultimately left the show midway after completing only 15 out of 34 episodes.
When mentioning this, Ko Hyun-jung acknowledged, "That incident indeed occurred," while also stating, "In fact, this SBS Mokdong place is memorable not only because of that work but also due to many other works and various experiences I had here. Returning to Mokdong SBS after a long time, I couldn't help but think of those memories because of my age. As I came to this place, I remembered, 'This was an intensely competitive place.' I would like to greet everyone again with the work 'The Mantis'. I'm glad and pleased that it's 'The Mantis'."
Last year, Ko Hyun-jung underwent a character transformation in Netflix's 'Mask Girl', and now she continues her intense portrayal as a serial killer in 'The Mantis'. She stated, "This script required a lot of preparation since it's a role I haven't done before. However, I was excited when someone suggested I take on such a character while working on 'Mask Girl'. Therefore, I could accept it. It's like breaking the dam personally. When I received the script for 'The Mantis', I wanted to do it right away, knowing that Byun Young-joo was directing. I had no hesitation; of course, genre works are fields that any actor would be ambitious about, and since Director Byun was involved, I wanted to receive direction and made my decision."
Similarly, like Kim Mo-mi in 'Mask Girl', Jung Yi-shin in 'The Mantis' also possesses conflicting character traits of 'mother' and 'murderer'. Ko Hyun-jung explained, "It's difficult to imagine a mother and a serial killer coexisting. While one's perspective from the outside might suggest that, considering the life of someone like Jung Yi-shin, she would have been both a mother and a daughter, and had her own life as well. I think there tends to be more of a thought, 'I am Jung Yi-shin,' than being defined merely by being a mother or something else. I reflected on that a lot."
Ko Hyun-jung continued, "Under the premise, what kind of performance to exaggerate or tone down, that judgment will be decided by the director. I believed if Jung Yi-shin were to exist, she might have thought, 'What would she have done?' I think emotions toward her son would have become stronger after meeting him again after more than 20 years. While performing, I pondered, 'How would a mother and a serial killer coexist?' That judgment was largely entrusted to the director, and I paid more attention to how I could showcase more versions every time I took a few takes."
Moreover, regarding the revitalized visuals appearing in the work, she mentioned, "I think of it as putting on another outfit." She added, "I truly appreciate how delicately you did the makeup for me. It's a burden if I look too beautiful in the work. There's a lower chance that I'm actually more beautiful than that. Therefore, 'The Mantis' is a work that provides various comforts in many ways."
Lastly, Ko Hyun-jung said, "In fact, besides those three actors who appear as the police team, many other actors participated. There are many splendid performances from the actors portraying criminals as well; you will certainly find such moments of enjoyment at intervals, and you may discover that 'you will become a great actor'. I believe the fluid intertwining of the director is a strength of this drama, and I hope to receive much interest and love."
'The Mantis: Original Sin' premiered at 9:50 p.m. on the 5th.
[Photo] OSEN Reporter Park Jun-hyung
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